catenary

is there a model for a rope, chain or cable ?

like a guy wire on an antenna

thanks

 

If I remember correctly from my freshman calculas class nearly 20
years ago a catenary is a function of the hyperbolic cosine.
Should be easy enough to plot out.
y=a*cosh(x/a) where a is a constant.

I would assume if you have an actual physical application in use that
you can compare you mathematical model in SWX to experimentaly
determine "a" for your rope, chain or cable.

 

Search http://mathworld.wolfram.com/ and you'll probably find something.

 

..... or, Google

catenary "power transmission" OR "cable"

 

Hi,
I'm just reading a book I got called "Towing Icebergs, Falling dominoes, and
other adventures in applied mathematics" by Robert B Banks. (doesn't take
much to keep me happy) It includes some of the math on the Gateway Arch in
Saint Louis which is an "inverted catenary" designed by Eero Saarinen. I
think you can use the math before he flipped it over.

Anyway I can scan and email the few relevant pages if you wish:
bob at rbhope dot ca
cheers,
Bob - Toronto